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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Pride and Prejudice

What's It Wednesday #10

The Laroche family

We all know the story of the RMS Titanic that struck an iceberg during her maiden voyage on a beautiful calm April night in 1912 and slowly sank in the North Atlantic. What many people are not aware of is the fact that aboard that ship was one black family. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Laroche and their daughters, Simmone and Louise were traveling from France to Haiti, which was the birthplace of Joseph. Even though Joseph studied to be an engineer in France, racial discrimination in France made it quite difficult for Joseph to get a high-paying job. The family’s only option was to return to Haiti. The Laroche family traveled second class on the Titanic, since 1st class was sold out. The couple was expecting their third child at the time they boarded the ship. Due to the fact that the Laroche’s were an interracial couple, they were harassed and taunted at every turn. After the historic ship struck an iceberg, Joseph loaded his wife and children onto a lifeboat. That would be the last time they saw each other because he went down with the ship.

Shortly after the Civil War, railroad businessman George Pullman crafted "sleeping cars" from regular passenger cars. This led to the hiring of many former slaves. These men were called Pullman Porters and were later known for their attention to detail, and the level of service they provided the passengers.

I collect Pullman Porter memorabilia in honor of these very hard working men. They not only worked for very low wages, but were overworked and dealt with countless indignities on the job. These gentlemen were also credited for the development of the black middle class. Many black families were afforded the opportunity to send their children to colleges and universities as early as the late 19th century.

When I was a little girl, there was a show that came on the television called "Julia". Whatever it was the adults always tuned in. I would later find out that this was a ground-breaking sitcom in that it was the very first time that an African-American female was in the non-stereotypical role such as a maid. Actress Diahann Carroll played the lead as nurse Julia Baker who was a widowed single mother. Her husband was a fighter pilot who had been shot down in Vietnam. When I became an adult collector, one of the first things I had to find was a Julia lunch box, just like the one I had as a little girl. She is proudly displayed in my kitchen.

Also in my kitchen is this placard of Uncle Remus. He is a fictional character that is an old slave who told stories about animals and a variety of old folklore. Children would gather around to hear an Uncle Remus story. Uncle Remus spoke with the slave dialect of the Deep South. Br'er Rabbit (Brother Rabbit) is the main character of his stories. Many of Uncle Remus' stories were and still are considered politically incorrect, culturally incensitive, and racist.

When we see Aunt Jemima, we think of a delicious breakfast of hot fluffy pancakes. This was not always the case. The character of Aunt Jemima dates back to the mid 1800s as a prominent character in minstrel shows. Some Aunt Jemima's were presented by performers in blackface. The character was later adopted for commercial use. Once she was used for commercial use she wore a 'kerchief on her head and an apron. At one point a former slave was used to act as the Aunt Jemima pancake mix spokesperson. Many viewed Aunt Jemima as the male "Uncle Tom" and therefore she was not necessarily regarded highly in the African-American community since she was seen as the stereotypical African-American female. Have you noticed Aunt Jemima's updated new look?

In the mid 1990s, the Mattel toy company joined forces with Nabisco to promote Barbie with Oreo cookies. This doll is called the Oreo Fun Barbie. The idea was little girls across the nation could play with Barbie and eat Oreos. There was just one problem. The term "Oreo" is offensive in the black community. It mean't that you were a black person on the outside but "acted white" on the inside. This reference included any black person who was able to speak the Queen's English or had any ambitions to do well. Needless to say, Mattel recalled the Barbie and it is one of the most sought after by collectors. Since I was one of those who was frequently called an "Oreo" in high school, I treated myself to my own Oreo Barbie.

As a scrapbooker, I am so grateful to have in my possession my grandmother's college scrapbook. I read it all the time. Every time I read it I discover something new. It is chock-full of historical references, pictures, schedules, menus, newspaper articles, and dance cards. Her World War II scrapbook is also equally as amazing.

In the scrapbook I found this certificate my grandmother received in 1932 for participating in a tree planting ceremony. This had so much significance for me due to the my own environmental and conservation efforts. She definitely planted a seed.

This is the program from when my grandmother graduated from college in 1932.

I had read my grandmother's scrapbooks hundreds of times. One particular day, I really focused on the people who were in attendance at her graduation. I almost fell out of my chair when I realized that Dr. Carter G. Woodson gave the Commencement Address at my grandmother's graduation from Florida A & M College (Now University) in 1932. Dr. Woodson was a noted African-American historian, author, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. This is the man that is known as the "Father of Black History". 1926 was the beginning of Negro History Week which is now known as Black History Month which occurs every year in February.

I am so grateful for having been blessed with a grandmother who taught me the value of history and its people. She taught me to have pride and to never be prejudice.

A really interesting and informative post. How lucky you are to have your grandmother's scrapbook, what a treasured possession that must be.My daughter told me recently that she had been sitting between two black boys in assembly at school. One of them pointed out that the three of them together looked like an Oreo cookie. All three liked this description of them, so maybe a nicer association.

I know what you are saying here. I grew up as a Hispanic in S. Central Los Angeles in an African American community and from day one, I learned about "racial" issues. I loved where I grew up, though it was hard because of people's differences. But we kids, we did not see DIFFERENCE. It was the adults during those hard times in the mid 60s that instilled fear in us, to not trust the other. BUT through those times, it taught me to look at MY HISTORY within the EXTERIOR historical events taking place before my eyes, and to TRY TO LEARN to break the cycle of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. How poignant and true are the points you make about the LIVES behind the images we grew up with about African Americans. There were LIVES BEHIND those images, and there still are. WONDERFUL POST, WONDERFUL! I have my own stories about how being Mexican-American was not always easy.

GOOD TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO YOUR BLOG. Last week, I had a hard time!!! Anita

What a wonderful post; Such attention to detail. I always love learning new things when I blog hop.You are so luck that your grandmother took the time to scrapbook. None of my family ever bothered to take the time - All I have are a lot of unmarked old pictures - that no one still alive remembers who they are.

Oh, wow...."Julia" was one of my favorite shows as a kid! I always thought Diahann Carroll was one of the prettiest women on earth! (She has aged pretty well, too.) It was also such a neat thing to see a Black woman in a role like that because it wasn't prevalent at the time. I never knew about the Barbie/Oreo Cookies relationship, but I sure caught enough of that ol' "Oreo" taunting in my day. Still do because some people can be so doofus. It's wonderful that you have so many historic treasures. I have my paternal grandparents' high school diplomas from 1916 and 1921 gracing a wall in our library. They made those suckers HUGE back then!!! Like literally 5 times as big as present-day diplomas! Terrific post!

sweet ... but don't worry evrything is fine... it's just ... so busy if i have a little time i come and visit your blog longer.... so now i must go to school en the rest of the week to the shop... take care !!! xx viana

But I also have to say that, Black History Month has always kind of bothered me. Why is it recognized during "one month" when it should be all 12 months?Anyway--that's the way I was raised. My "white" family can't be THAT unusual.Catherine

Fantastic post, Paula! Thank you for sharing a bit of history that i didn't know. Where I grew up, I didn't experience the prejudice thing. And I am thankful for that. I ended up taking a trip to the south when I was 10 years old and my eyes were opened and I remember that I couldn't understand it. I still can't. I am a believer in God and believe we were ALL created in His image. I remember the show Julia too. I LOVED that show and Diahann Carroll was so beautiful! I wanted to look like her. And your Grandmother is beautiful too. You must be so proud of her! It's wonderful that you have her scrapbook and that you shared it with us. What a treasure you have.

Oh Paula, what a touching post!... I am proud to say that I was raised with the belief instilled in me at an early age by my wonderful mama and daddy that ALL men and women are created equal... and this was at a time when, as you said, many did not share this belief... so sad!... my niece recently did a post about the "Loving" couple, an inter~racial couple in the early 60's (that was actually their name), and how Robert Kennedy, Sr. went to bat for them and equal rights... so glad "we've come a long way baby" as the saying goes... but there is still much to be done with equal rights for many... always love seeing your fabulous collections, and learning the history behind them... sending much love your way, (to Patti too!)... xoxo Julie Marie

Just a wonderful story about your grandmother. You must be so very proud. Your treasures are wonderful and the stories that surround them are ever so interesting!..Loved reading every word. I too loved the show Julia!!..Loved Dianne Carroll, what a great actress and beauty!

what an amazing collection!! I loved all the stories and facts you told. I always loved that show Julia. I thought she was so pretty! My post is on collecting today too. Hope you can visit. Thank you for hosting WIW

This is a fascinating post as yours often are. Full of info and family history. You have much to be proud of and I am the keeper of our grandmother's photos and diaries. You can go to the day you were born or any other day to see her daily writings on current events and her thoughts on all of us.

Wonderful story my dear friend..I just love coming by here and seeing all the wonderful collections you have..I'm trying so hard to NOT buy one thing this year ha ha!! Really girl I have ran out of room at my house and no room even left under beds to store anymore..However I did see some hotel silver I'm so wanting to get ha ha!!Thanks for the shout out girl..Your the first one in almost 4 years of blogging to ever do that for me..THANKS..May you have the best Tuesday ever..Hugs and smiles Gloria

Thanks so much for hosting. And thank you for sharing all of that historical information and treasures. My oldest son is obsessed with learning everything he can about the titanic, so I can't wait to share the story you told with him.

I learned SO much just reading this post. Thanks for making us more informed :)

A very informative and interesting post! The pictures are awesome. Thanks for adding this link to the Creative Monday Blog Hop. I am also happy to add a link to your Wednesday Party. Take care and do enjoy the rest of the week.

Thanks for all the interesting history you provide! I also appreciate you hosting this party each week. It's a wonderful opportunity for new bloggers like myself to meet others and vice versa. Appreciate the extra effort you take to make this happen.Mary Alice

That was an amazingly interesting blog! I am forwarding it to my co-teacher, a high school history teacher due to the part about the Titanic. Your grandmother going to college was unusual, black or white at the time. Nice blog.

Great post filled with proud historical moments, and even more proud memories of family. Your collection is significant and personal. I completely remember "Julia" for her smarts, beauty, and adventures. Thank you for sharing. Have a great week. ~CJ

I always learn something when I read your posts. This time it was about people instead of objects. I grew up with separate but equal policies (which you know was not true)and then integration. I'm glad you have these reminders of your rich heritage.

Patti, Thank you so much for the beautifully written post. It was so educational and I am grateful for you sharing with us.There is so much of the black history of which many of us are totally unaware. Thank you so much for your insight and for pointing out both the positive and negative effects of that history on our black families. I love you for your thoughtful and gentle presentation. Please continue to inform and educate.Blessings, Ginger

What a fabulous stories you've told us, specially of your very courageous grandmother, to have gone to college in that time as an African American woman, just wow! Beautiful stories to be proud of and look now, there's a movie about Pilot Fighters from WWII with Cuba Gooding Jr. and the real African Am. Pilots stil live!!Thank you sweet Paula for these amazing stories and for hosting and having me. Hugs,FABBY

Oh, I remember the show Julia with beautiful Diahann Carroll and yeah, I used to watch it and never thought anything of it, I was so sad when not long later there was no more show! I grew up in Astoria Queens, in an Italian-Irish neighborhood been a hispanic girl, but I can say I never experienced any kind of prejudice, I guess not all people in the USA are prejudice.Thank you for your post again.FABBY

Hi Paula, always love your great posts. Thank you for sharing all of these important historical bits of information. I really envy you having your grandmother's scrapbook, so much to learn about our families! Just linked up, thanks for the party!

This may be one of my favorite posts yet! I love reading about your grandmother and her influence on your life. How great that you have her scrapbooks, too! It's also a blessing that she has YOU for a granddaughter - someone who appreciates her and history. Not all people are sentimental, and may have thrown such treasures out or packed them away. -Revi

Very interesting, thank you for sharing the histories.I remember the Julia show, you and I must be about the same age. I was in grammer school when it came out, I loved that show and never missed it! Thank you for inviting me to your party. Blessings, Mary :O)

Beautiful post Paula!You are so fortunate to be in possession of your gradmother's college scrapbook. What a treasure!I love all of the interesting facts you shared with us on black history. I use to watch Julia when I was a little girl too. As I remember, it never really phased me that she was black...it was the fact that the show was about a nurse! Guess what my chosen career path has been!

I remember riding a train from Florida to Illinois back when I was very young age 12 and the porters helping my sister who was 6 at the time. We had been on vacation at my grandparents and was homesick so our grandparents put us on a train home( can you imagine doing that now)? anyway the porters were very nice and helped us with our luggage etc.The story of the Tiatanic makes me sick everytime I read or see it such traffic You have a lot to be proud of having your granny's scrapbook and the fact she went to college

my daughter was a barbie fan and I never seen that Oreo Barbie , can't believe a cookie of any kind would be included with skinny Barbie

Hi ladies! Thank you so much for sharing all of this history with us! It is so amazing to not only have these collections but to have them be so personal and apart of your heritage. How incredible to have your grandmother's scrapbook! Thanks so much for hosting us here today! :-)Vanessa

Loved your post, and I truly appreciate the historical information, especially about your Grandmother. I remember watching Julia when I was a child. I always thought Diahann Carroll was one of the most beautiful women, inside and out!

Awesome post today ladies! I love the history y'all always share...it really is so important to remember it!!I am so glad you have your dear Grandmother's books..you can tell they were special to her and it's wonderful that you are the caretaker of such history.your own scrapbooks will play a huge role in the lives of those in the future too, so be sure and pass them along. Thank you so much for allowing us all a glimpse of your life.Blessings, Doni

What fascinating stories you tell! I have old scrapbooks my great grandmother made when my grandfather was in the navy. I love looking at them!! I hope the books I make will be loved by my boys just as much some day!xxDaniella

What an interesting post, Paula! I learned so much from you today! Thank you! And yup! I remember watching "Julia" on TV. Loved that show! :) And what a special memorable scrapbook you have from your grandmother. ♥ Thanks for hosting such a fun party!

Dear Paula,this was a really important post with many informations. The most facts are so new for me that I have to think about them. What a luck, that times have chanced so much since your grandmother lived. And still not enough as I guess. The scrapbook and the family photos are so wonderful to see. Thank you for letting us participate on your history.Best greetings, Johanna

Dear Patti & Paula,Thank you so much for the feature.I am honored!Love your Grandmothers scrapbook!You have given all of us so much with this lovely post and great party. I am so happy to be a part of it all.My thanks to you both for hosting.Much love,xoxoDebbie

Patti & Paula, Loved this post, I grew up watching Julia too, a favorite show as a kid. We also had records put out by Disney with Uncle Remus telling stories from the south. I'm sure they were not politically correct. Interesting fact about the family on the Titanic, I did not know that. Thanks for hosting again this week, Laura

Such a fascinating post! I have so much to say I'm stumbling all over the place.....I LOVED Julia too! I didn't know about the Pull man Porters, I'll now be keeping my eyes open for pieces for you.......How cool was it to find that Dr. Woodson gave the address at your Grandmothers graduation! That had to be an "in awe" moment *winks* Love the oreo Barbie....Is there a term for someone who's white on the outside and black on the inside?When I was a child growing up in an all white neighborhood in the 60's our next door neighbors moved in, in the middle of the night. I thought as a child that it was kind of strange but didn't think too much of it. That family was African American....Still didn't think anything of it. Years later I realized what a courageous move that was. Times sure have changed. I was just thrilled as a kid to have two new girlfriends to play with *winks* And they're still two of my best friends to this day. Vanna

Paula, your blog never ceases to amaze me! You two ladies are a wealth of information and history! I loved reading all of this and seeing the pictures of more treasures from your collections. The scrapbook from your grandmother is the greatest treasure of all I think -- how fortunate you are to have it!

Oh -- and I had to laugh because when I saw the picture of the "Oreo Barbie" I gasped out loud before even reading that part of your post! That definitely goes into the "What Were They Thinking" archives!

Dear Paula, this is a very moving and enlightening post. Anyone who has suffered prejudice of any sort will identify even more. I so enjoyed reading all the historicaldata, but especially the underlying loving emotion which came through as you were writing your post.I immigrated from Italy with my Mom and sister on a ship, and felt the difference in me as I grew up and went to school, a foreigner in a distant land. I was only 2 years old, but clearly remember many things that were difficult for us. I loved reading this beautiful post this morning, N.xox

What a very delightful and interesting post. I loved the story of the Barbie doll because me and a friend used to play for hours with them when we were young. Your Grandmothers scrapbook is a treasure that holds so many memories and history for you. It sounds like you are really into geneology. I am also, and have always loved to know where my anscestors came from. My Father was Greek and Polish, and my Mother was Spanish and French Canadian. I am always looking at old photographs of them. We are the daughters who live on through them. I am so glad that I found someone who appreciates the background from where she came from, as I do. A lovely day to you both.~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Great post!I watched nurse Julia on tv and thought it was a super program.

I remember when I was a teacher's aide for 3rd and 4th grade children. Marlin was called an oreo....he told me about it and was very upset. I simply said to him, Marlin, those are the BEST cookies ever. He looked at me like what do you mean. He was a great kid.

Loved watching Julia as a child in fact my grandfather worked closely with the sitcom as an art producer Carrol Baker was close with my grandfather and would have after parties with him and his studio friends. Her autographed photo in his home studio collection now is in my sisters hands.

My family is interacial mixed and I so get the struggles one may endure. My grandmother is French from the south with a beautiful heritage black decendent. My niece and nephew African American and Japanese of course French and Irish what a beautiful combination :)

What a beautiful book of history with your grandmothers bits and pieces she has soulfully created in a book of scraps to treasure and love.

Thanks for the history lesson - I love that your grandmother influenced you. Both of mine loved gardening and their children loved to garden and now I get so much from my time spent in my garden. I watched "Julia" my mom even had her hair cut - I think every other woman did (color of skin didn't matter - it was a great cut).

I really love this post-I think because you've provided such interesting historical information that I will now share with my students!,. If you've ever visited the Gold Coast Railroad Muesum here in Miami, they have a few interesting "Pullman Porter" pieces ( uniforms, pictures, etc.) as well as a nice display honoring the African American railroad employees, Thanks again for an interesting post. You always make me say, "Wow! I never knew that!"

Hi Patti and Paula!Just read your post and I have been brought back to my childhood reading about the tv series Julia! It was aired here in Germany too in the late sixities and I loved it (born Jan 63)! I was absolutely fascinated by beautiful Julia as a child, we didn't get to see many black people over here then. Would love to watch it again! We had b&w tv at the time, no color. Unfortunately I didn't know about the mixed family on board of the titanic until today. How sad that he did not survive. His family must have been devasted. Such a tragedy. It must have been such a hard life at the time for Afro/Americans. And what a beau he was! I also didn't know about the Oreos. It's kinda funny because my daughter is half Afro/American and she loves to eat them. I gotta tell her and ask if she ever heard about it. She is a very clever girl btw just finishing her studies at University this Spring so I guess she'd be called an Oreo too in the USA. Very interesting also to read about the pullman porters as the first Afro/American middle class people who were able to send their kids to study. And what a great family heirloom you have by owning your grandma's scrapbooks, I wish! I just noticed that you got a lot of comments on this post and almost all from white women. Just wondering why there are so few Afro/American bloggers in our "blogging neighborhood", what do you think? Or do I just not notice them?Btw thank you so much for coming over to my blog to check on me while I was absent, that was really sweet:) All is/was fine here, I was just very busy. I'll link up my latest post for tomorrows What's it Wednesday!Sending you both a big hug from freezing Germanyxoxo~ Carola

Oooooh, I love this post, sugar!!! My grandfather was a railroad brakeman and I loved it when my grandma took me on the train in the sleeping compartment. My hubby is a model RR train enthusiast also. Enthusiast???? More like an addict! LOLNice to meet you.xoxo,Connie

I loved reading this post! All that history is so interesting for me. I remember many of the things you showed pictures of.I love your "have Pride in yourself, but never be prejudice" attitude. If only we could all just get over skin color and be who we are meant to be, all God's children under the sun. You know, people are people, some behave well, some are unkind and downright mean. But no skin color has a monopoly on Kindness or meanness. We are each who we choose to be. I am sad that so many people treat others so horribly because of skin color. They miss out on so much because of that prejudice and choose to make their lives and others miserable.

I KNOW your heart and my heart are the same color...and I love that truth! Hugs to you,Betsy

Thank goodness for yor "stroll down memory lane" post on 06-04-2014. This is by far one of the most interesting and wonderful posts I've found during my short time in blogland. I definitely empathize with you, love this! Thank you so much for sharing such wealth of information!

The Ladies of Ivy and Elephants

We are Moms, dreamers, visionaries, and creators. Our love for all things vintage and Victorian is evident throughout our homes. We are passionate about our families, friends, food, and fabulous finds. We are Ivy & Elephants.